National Comics #68 (1948)

In the bustling world of Colonel Lane’s Mammoth Circus, the enigmatic Leo, the Lion Man, arrives with his loyal lion, Nero, seeking a place among the performers—only to find himself at odds with the circus’s gruff animal trainer, Guido, and the suspicious Carnie Calahan. As tensions rise and a tragic death shakes the troupe, Leo must defend his name when he’s accused of murdering a fellow worker, forcing him to uncover the real culprit before he’s cast out—or worse.

Sally O'Neil investigates her father’s suspicious death, uncovering a web of deceit involving his stolen novel and two murdered men. As a mysterious killer targets those connected to the case, Sally must unravel a series of cryptic rhymes and hidden identities before the next threat strikes.

Jo writes a heartfelt poem for Uncle Balty to read, only to watch him panic when he thinks it's a love note from the married woman next door—so he packs up and flees the country, convinced he’s in danger from her husband.